Connecticut man critical after fall at Acadia

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — A 55-year-old Connecticut man remained in critical condition Thursday after he fell on the rocks near Otter Cliffs on Wednesday, opening day at the park.

Jeffrey Dugan of Farmington, Conn., was hiking along the Shore Path between Otter Cliffs and Otter Point at about 4:16 p.m. Wednesday. Dugan was walking on the rocks off the path and apparently lost his footing and fell about 15 feet onto the rocks below, according to Park Ranger Kevin Donnell.

Rescue crews responded to the call to the scene and were able to reach Dugan and haul him back up, Donnell said. Dugan received multiple injuries in the fall. A LifeFlight helicopter landed on the Otter Cove causeway and took Dugan directly to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where he remained in critical condition on Thursday, the ranger said.

The rescue took about 40 minutes, Donnell said. Although it was not a particularly difficult rescue, the ranger said the fall took place about one quarter of a mile from the road.

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“We had to get him up the cliff, up to the trail and back to the road,” he said. “Things worked well because all the departments worked so well together.”

Park rangers were joined by rescuers from Bar Harbor fire and police departments, Mount Desert Police Department and MDI Search and Rescue.

Park headquarters opened for the season on Wednesday, and the Park Loop Road was opened as well. The rescue made for a busy opening day, Donnnell said.

It was unusual to have a rescue on opening day, he said.

“It was unusual being the first day of the roads being opened and within 24 hours of being open, we have a significant rescue,” he said.